boilover

See also: boil over

English

Etymology

Deverbal from boil over.

Noun

boilover (plural boilovers)

1. A hazardous situation where an attempt is made to extinguish semi-enclosed oil- or petrochemical-fuelled fire with water, generating steam which propels the burning fuel outwards.
2. (Australia, New Zealand, slang) A sporting event with an unexpected outcome, especially a horse race where the favourite fails to win.
   • 1953, Pastoralists' Review (volume 63, issues 7-12, page 716)

     […] there was not much good horsemanship. The Derby itself was an ordinary race, something of a boilover for Dark Star […]

Related terms

• overboil

 

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• overboil